Fatigue Scale

[greaterexp]

Fatigue is so hard to describe and quantify. Since so many of us deal with fatigue at some level, this chart may be helpful when talking with doctors or even with families. Some doctors may have you complete this, but I know mine doesn't. She just asks about fatigue in general.

mult-sclerosis.org/fatigues...

[erash]

Good scale

But my responses would change from moment to moment

I guess that’s good that not constant

[Midgey_Midge06]

Love it. Saved it to my favorites on my phone

[anaishunter]

Thank you for sharing.

Fatigue has been the most impacting symptoms. I've been dragging around fighting through my days for more than 10 years. I've only been diagnosed with MS this year. It has probably been lurking around all these years. My PCP always put it on perimenopause and hormones, but I never believed that something more was going on. My MS doctor does not ask much beyond physical symptoms. So having a good scale and framework for the discussion will be helpful.

[Raingrrl]

Thanks for posting this greaterexp ! Fatigue is my constant companion and like erash , it seems to vary constantly.

[MS_Indestructible]

my fatigue also is constant and like erash and Raingrrl , mine varies as well. Thanks for sharing and providing the link.

[Peruzzot]

I've completed this scale for the VA a few times as well as for a fatigue study that i am participating in. But the best scale i've seen was posted on this forum with artwork associated with each level of fatigue. The one that best describes me on my worst days is "Not even human anymore " with the painting showing all the objects warped and seeming to melt. A picture is worth a 1000 words.

[greaterexp in reply to Peruzzot]

I posted that a while back because I thought it so appropriate. I wish I could find something like that to fit the fatigue levels, but I don't think I could work that hard in finding all those paintings! It would be a hoot, so feel free to work on that in your spare time!

[LissaH]

does this explain everything? Right now I'm sitting at my desk at work and I've been here since 840am and I wrote 5 names down on paper. The rest of the day I've had my head down, slowly walking to the bathroom, and not being about to do anything, but lean my head in my hand and pray no one catches me with my eyes close. Haha. I think I will go home early and take a nap. I have my last day of therapy today. Hope I make it through that. Its very cold here today so I'm in a lot of pain also. DRAINED TODAY.....

[greaterexp in reply to LissaH]

I'd say your fatigue is having a huge impact. Sometimes I think the "cognitive fatigue" plays a big part and can go hand in hand with physical fatigue.

I hope you can get that nap and get a little pep back.

[LissaH]

@greaterexp thanks I sure hope so too. Its really bad today.

[rlh1974]

greaterexp I just went through that survey and I failed. It is eye opening and a good way to quantify fatigue for the Dr or anyone that does not understand! Thanks for sharing that!

Rob

[johnMSAA Partner]

Thanks for sharing, greaterexp ! Related: there is a My Fatigue scale built right into MSAA's My MS Manager mobile app which could help users track their fatigue more easily so it can be shared with your healthcare team.

In 2016, App developer At Point of Care (in conjunction with MSAA) performed a study which showed that when people with MS used the Fatigue Scale featured in the My MS Manager app, they were able to see how fatigue was impacting their daily lives. In some cases, when users shared these results to their healthcare teams, changes were made to treatment plans in order to lessen the impact of fatigue.

Here is a link to the study, called "Connecting Healthcare Providers with Patients Through Mobile Technology: Formula for Shared Decision Making and Improved Patient Outcomes"...it's made for a clinical physician audience, but has some nice colorful charts!

projectsinknowledge.com/Act...

And you can find links to download the My MS Manager app for Apple and Google devices here:

mymsaa.org/mobile

Hope this helps!

- John, MSAA

[greaterexp in reply to johnMSAA]

Thank you, John, for letting us know. That’s great news.

[dearydear57]

Hi John -

Thank you for the information on the My MSAA Manager app, but... I have tried to install this app several times and it will not work. It will not even allow me to create an account. It lets me put in my information, but it will not let me save it. With only a 2.8 rating, it seems to me y'all may need to do a little work on it.